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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think someone shouldn’t be registered with a doctor half an hour from where they live

170 replies

User6007000 · 27/09/2019 20:12

A friend of mine is registered at the same gp as me and she lives half an hour a way from the gp. Aibu to think this shouldn’t be allowed? Where she lives is still the same health care trust. She said there is a law which allowed her to do this? I have always thought gp’s have catchment areas

OP posts:
adaline · 27/09/2019 20:14

Not everyone lives within half an hour of a GP.

GoldenEvilHoor · 27/09/2019 20:17

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Interestedwoman · 27/09/2019 20:17

Nowadays people have more choice over their GP. I think it perfectly reasonable for people to choose the care they prefer. YABU and why do you care?

Batshittery · 27/09/2019 20:17

Why shouldn't it be allowed? I don't live in the 'catchment area' for my GP. They are aware. I am in my 50's and have never had to call a DR out, so why does it matter?

SimonJT · 27/09/2019 20:18

My nearest GP is 45 minutes away, lots of people won’t have one within half an hour of their home.

LionelRitchieStoleMyNotebook · 27/09/2019 20:18

Did she move and not re-register? I walk past three surgeries to get to mine, a twenty minute walk away. I chose it because it's female GP led offers evening, Saturday and Sunday appointments which is much easier with work. I didn't think about catchments and they have my address so I'm guessing it's fine.

PancakeAndKeith · 27/09/2019 20:19

Why not?

bigbluebus · 27/09/2019 20:19

I think there was a change in the regulations a few years ago so that people could register with GP's who were, for example, near to there place of work. It is up to the individual practice whether they accept the patient or not. As GPs rarely do home visits these days, I can't see the problem.

CactusAndCacti · 27/09/2019 20:20

Many, many years ago my Mum was told they could stay at the GP surgery a few miles away but it was outside the catchment for home visits. But as GP's rarely do home visits this isn't an issue.

If it is the same health authority then no issues, but I wouldn't want to be that far away. At work though I know people who move from one village/ town to another but keep the same GP as their medical history is so complex.

FactorFifty · 27/09/2019 20:20

When I moved 6 miles away and informed by GP practice of my new address, they said I would be removed from their surgery and had 4 weeks to find a new practice!

Thankfully I did and the new one is brilliant...but yes.

leaves

GaspingGekko · 27/09/2019 20:22

Didn't they change the rules some time ago to allow you to sign up at the GP most convenient for you? So it could be close to your place of work, or near the supermarket you go to or whatever. The idea I think was to make it easier for people to arrange appointments around their life.
Not sure if it was implemented but I remember it being discussed when I lived in the UK. So over ten years ago at least.

Biancadelrioisback · 27/09/2019 20:23

Why not? You don't (usually) go to your GP in the event of an emergency so the half hour travel time makes no difference.
My dentist is 40-60 minutes away from my house

GaspingGekko · 27/09/2019 20:24

Xpost with bigbluebus. Blush

Fuzzyspringroll · 27/09/2019 20:24

Our GP is in the same town but DS's pediatrician is at least 20 minutes away by car. There isn't one in our town. (We live abroad. Little kids go to a pediatrician here.)

GoldenEvilHoor · 27/09/2019 20:24

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Original poster
User6007000 · 27/09/2019 20:26

She has a doctors about a mile from her

OP posts:
SlavesToTheKitchen · 27/09/2019 20:26

It takes me half an hour to get to the GP. 10 minute walk, 10 minute bus into the closest town, 10 minute walk. There's certainly some physically closer to my house, but they would take longer to get to as I'd have to go into town on the bus and back out on a different train or bus line.
Half an hour really isn't that long/far to travel for anything.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 27/09/2019 20:28

Why does she need to register with the surgery closest to her home? Surely she can register with any surgery she likes and which has space?

TitianaTitsling · 27/09/2019 20:28

Also live in arse end of nowhere- no gp in half an hour but a few vets.. maybe they'll take me on!

Maxineputyourredshoeson · 27/09/2019 20:31

I don’t see what the issue is? But yes, she’s correct it’s up to her where she’d like to be registered, it’s called patient choice.

www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/gps/patient-choice-of-gp-practices/

SallyLovesCheese · 27/09/2019 20:31

My GP is about 30 mins drive away as it's near my work. I stayed with them, when I moved, for convenience, as I'm rarely at home during surgery hours. If I was registered near home and had an appointment I'd be away from work much longer.

MiniMum97 · 27/09/2019 20:33

Why do you care where she is registered? It has no bearing on you.

MsAwesomeDragon · 27/09/2019 20:33

Dd1 is away at uni. Last year she registered with the GP down there, but when she tried to get an emergency appointment she was told there was nothing for 6 weeks. So she came home for a few days, got an emergency appointment here as a guest within 4 hours of phoning, and promptly reregistered with our home GP as it's so much easier to get an appointment. She's not going to bother registering down there this year, she's got ongoing health issues that will require appointments every couple of months, so she's time out with her doctor so she had an appointment just before she left, got enough medication to last till Christmas holidays, and has an appointment already booked for when she's home. She rarely gets ill, other than this long term condition, and that is currently fairly well managed with medication.

Hennysmommy · 27/09/2019 20:34

My GP had to keep me on the register when I moved, we are now 20-30 mins drive away. I have PTSD and a complex medical history the GP decided that moving me would put me at risk. Plus there is more choice with health care now so people can stay at their GPs if they choose.

Maxineputyourredshoeson · 27/09/2019 20:34

Sorry, to clarify there is no ‘law’ but she can request to register wherever she likes.